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Kilayim 7:5-6

Kilayim 7:5

Rabbi Yosi related an incident in which a person planted vegetables in his vineyard during the Sabbatical year. Rabbi Akiva evaluated the matter and ruled that one cannot render prohibited something that does not belong to him. (Produce of the Sabbatical year is legally ownerless.)

Kilayim 7:6

If someone took possession of a vineyard by force and planted vegetables in it, then the rightful owner regained possession, he removes what the squatter planted even on chol hamoed. He must pay workers up to one-third above the normal rate in order to get this done quickly. If it will cost him more than this, he can just remove it at the normal pace, even if it means that the job will not be done until after yom tov. When do we consider someone a squatter (requiring this level of attention to removing what he planted)? Starting from when the rightful owner has been forgotten.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz